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Lot Essay
Sir John Cope, 11th Bt. (1768-1851) is depicted on the steps of Bramshill House, one of England's most important Jacobean houses, which had been acquired by the family in 1699 by Sir John Cope, 6th Bt. (1673-1749). Thomas Peers Williams, M.P., and Captain Edward Gordon R.N. are also on the steps. Sir John was Master of the country now known as the Garth and South Berks. He had purchased the hounds in 1817 after the death of Reverend Henry Ellis St. John in 1816, who had purchased the Duke of Bridgewater's pack. An avid hunter, Sir John was a solicitor by profession, and upon his inheritance from his brother Sir Denzil Cope, 10th Bt. (1766-1812), he is said to have remarked 'Hang the law; now for foxhunting'.
One great day's run ended virtually on the doorstep of Windsor Castle, a few hours after the birth, in London, of Prince Edward, afterwards King Edward VII. In commemoration, Queen Victoria sent Sir John a hunting crop. Years later when the Queen died and King Edward gave up the Royal Buckhounds, he expressed a wish to become Master of the Garth.
Bramshill House was originally owned by Edward, 11th Baron Zouche of Harringsworth (1556-1625). In 1638, Bramshill was acquired by Randall MacDonnell, 2nd Earl of Antrim, who sold it two years later to Robert Henley. During the 18th century, the Copes made significant alterations to the steps and front door, leaving much of the rest of the house unchanged. ('Bramshill House', Country Life, 10 October 1985, p. 1015). Bramshill remained in the Cope family until 1935 when it was acquired by Lord Brocket. The Red Cross used the house as its headquarters during World War II and it was sold to the Home Office in 1953.
There is a larger version (86 x 110 in.) of this painting in an English private collection (Lord Brocket, Bramshill House sale; Sotheby's London, 16 July 1952, lot 14).
One great day's run ended virtually on the doorstep of Windsor Castle, a few hours after the birth, in London, of Prince Edward, afterwards King Edward VII. In commemoration, Queen Victoria sent Sir John a hunting crop. Years later when the Queen died and King Edward gave up the Royal Buckhounds, he expressed a wish to become Master of the Garth.
Bramshill House was originally owned by Edward, 11th Baron Zouche of Harringsworth (1556-1625). In 1638, Bramshill was acquired by Randall MacDonnell, 2nd Earl of Antrim, who sold it two years later to Robert Henley. During the 18th century, the Copes made significant alterations to the steps and front door, leaving much of the rest of the house unchanged. ('Bramshill House', Country Life, 10 October 1985, p. 1015). Bramshill remained in the Cope family until 1935 when it was acquired by Lord Brocket. The Red Cross used the house as its headquarters during World War II and it was sold to the Home Office in 1953.
There is a larger version (86 x 110 in.) of this painting in an English private collection (Lord Brocket, Bramshill House sale; Sotheby's London, 16 July 1952, lot 14).